Trace-buckle.



PATENTED AUG. l, 1905.

a W. J. GODFREY. TRACE BUGKLE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 10. 1905.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1, 1905.

Application filed January 10,1905. Serial NO- 240,466.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WALTER J. GODFREY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dalby Springs, in the county of Bowie and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trace-Buckles; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in trace-buckles.

The object of the invention is to provide a buckle of this character having means whereby a trace may be quickly and easily attached to and detached from the same without interfering with any of the other straps connected to the buckle. v

A further object is to provide a buckle of this character which will be simple in construction, eflicient in operation, and convenient and well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view of the buckle, showing the trace and other straps connected thereto. Fig 2 is a similar View of the buckle without the straps and showing in dotted lines the manner of releasing the spring locking-datches. Fig. 3 is ahorizontal sectional view thereof; and Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the same, showing in dotted lines the manner of opening or raising the retaining-plate to permit the engagement or removal of the trace. In Figs. 2, 3, and 4 the straps are omitted.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 denotes a buckle, consisting of a back plate 2, on the upper and lower edges of which are formed longitudinally disposed outwardly-projecting side flanges 3. The outer projecting ends of the side flanges 3 are connected by integrally-formed bars 4 and 5, which form elongated eyes or loops 6 and 7 on the front and rear ends of the buckle with which are respectively connected a breaststrap 8 and a holdback-strap 9. On the upper and lower edges of the plate are formed upwardly and downwardly projecting loops 10 and 11, with which are respectively connected the ends of the back-band and girth straps 12 and 13. On the outer side of the plate 2, near the ends of the same and mid way between the side flanges 3, arearranged outwardly-projecting pins or studs 14, with which are adapted to be engaged apertures formed in the trace 15.

On the outer edge of the upper flange 3 are formed apertured hinge lugs 16, while on the lower flange 3 are formed apertured keepers 17. Hingedly connected to the lugs 16, by means of a pivot bar or rod 18, is a trace-retaining plate 19, in which are formed apertures 20, through which the ends of the pins 14 project when the plate is in a closed position. On the lower edge of the plate 19 is formed a lug 21, which is adapted to engage a recess 22, formed in the lower flange 3, thereby holding said plate against lateral movement. In order that the plate 19 may be locked in a closed position, suitable spring-catches are provided,

said catches being formed of spring-wire hinged in lugs 16 and the terminal ends being inserted in the keepers 17, as shown in the drawings. The terminal ends 23 of the catches 23 extend outwardly to engage the pair of keepers 17, and when the springcatches 23 are pressed together the ends 23' are withdrawn from said keepers 17, and said catches are then swung upwardly, the pair of keepers 16 serving as a hinge therefor.

In attaching a trace to the buckle the plate 19 is lifted and the trace arranged between the flanges 3, the pins 14 passing through apertures formed in the trace. After the trace has been thus arranged the retaining-plate 19 will be swung down over the same and the spring catches engaged with the keepers, thereby holding said trace in position. By this arrangement the trace may be quickly attached and detached from the buckle without interfering with the other straps connected thereto.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is

1. A trace-buckle, comprising a back plate, upper and lower integral, outwardly-projecting side flanges, a back-band loop formed on the upper side of said plate, a girth -loop formed on the lower side of the same, breast and holdbackstrap loops formed at the 0pposite ends of said plate, trace-engaging pins formed on and projecting outwardly from said plate, a trace-retaining plate pivotally connected to said upper side flange, said plate having apertures to receive the ends of said pins, keepers formed on said lower side flange, spring-catches formed by a continuation of the pivot-bar of said retaining-plate, said catches being adapted to engage apertures in said keepers, thereby holding said retaining-plate in place, substantially as described.

2. A trace-buckle comprising a back plate, upper and lower upwardly-projecting side flanges formed on said plate, trace-attaching WALTER J. GODFREY.

Witnesses:

W. VANZANDT, H. B. DALLY. 

